End of an era for Woolworths
Woolworths Group CEO Sam Ngumeni has announced a series of leadership changes, with the group looking to end an operating model that has not kept pace with its ambitions.
Ngumeni took over as group CEO at the start of the month, succeeding Roy Bagattini.
He previously served as group COO, Woolworths Food CEO, group Director of HR & Transformation, and Woolworths Financial Services CEO.
Ngumeni has now announced a renewal of the group’s leadership and organisational structure, aiming to build agility, resilience, and the ability to execute and support growth.
The group said the changes follow Ngumeni’s assessment that the organisation’s operating model has not kept pace with its ambition.
“Woolworths needs clear accountability without ambiguity, decisions made closer to where value is created, and the ability to move faster,” the group said.
“The revised organisational design is driven by a conviction that accountability must sit where execution happens.”
The group has seen the departure of two executives: Spencer Sonn, outgoing Chief Customer Officer, and Nuholt Huisamen, outgoing CEO of Fashion, Beauty and Home (FBH).
With effect from 1 July 2026, the Food Division will be led by new CEO Chan Pillay, the current Commercial Director for Food.
FBH will be led by Manie Maritz, current CEO of Woolworths Ventures, who has agreed to defer his retirement and lead the FBH business during this time.
A new Chief Operating Officer role will also be created for Bradley Nitsckie, current Chief Supply Chain Officer, who will run the group’s retail operations, supply chains and logistics.
IT Services Division will also consolidate online, IT, Data & Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Cyber Security into a single Digital and Technology Division led by Christie Koorts.
It added that given the importance of the group’s brand, a Chief Marketing Officer role has been created, which will be led by Simphiwe Pato, who will also oversee sustainability and loyalty.
Woolworths Ventures is also now being integrated into the core business, having fulfilled its incubation mandate.
This will see WEdit move into FBH; WCellar moves into Food; and Absolute Pets continue reporting to its board.
Food Services, which includes WCafé and Now Now, will move to a Strategy portfolio, with Chris Brikkels, current Head of Strategy Execution for Food, appointed as Director of Strategy.
Several leaders stay on
“The new organisational design brings accountability closer to where value is created and equips the Group with the right people in the right roles,” said Ngumeni.
“I have full confidence in my executive leadership team and will rely on each of them to fulfil our ambition and move us forward as an organisation.”
While a host of other changes have been made at the group, the following divisions and their leadership remain unchanged:
- Finance is led by Chief Financial Officer, Zaid Manjra.
- People is led by Group People Director, Melanie Naidu.
- Governance, Risk and Compliance is led by Chantel Reddiar, Group Company Secretary & Director: Governance, Risk, Legal, Compliance, Corporate Affairs & Communications.
- Country Road Group is led by CEO, Steven Cook.
Woolworths believes that the new organisational design will simplify operations, eliminate duplication and realign portfolios.
“These changes will drive stronger trading momentum and more effective, efficient operations across the group,” it said.
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